CRICKET: Instonians beat Lisburn at Wallace Park

Frustration was the name of the game as once again weather wreaked havoc on the weekend’s six scheduled games in the Ulster Bank Premier League.

Only two reached a conclusion and both were interrupted and curtailed.The results however did have a significant impact at the top of the table.

At Wallace Park , Lisburn did battle against Instonians.

Robert Rankin and Richard Simpson put on 50 before James Shannon held the catch to remove Simpson off the bowling of Rusty Theron.

Rankin and skipper Adam Berry then added 82 in 18 overs before Rankin was caught, again by Shannon off Andrew White. Rankin batted well for his half-century maintaining his patience throughout the delays and in particular during an impressive spell from Robert McKinley who beat the bat on numerous occasions without luck.

Berry upped the run rate with 44 from 55 balls, including one savage straight drive that struck umpire Kevin McConville forcing him to retire at tea.

Indeed, you might say it was a pivotal moment as rather than going to the boundary the players took a single and next ball Nathan Waller became the first of three victims for Nikolai Smith, lbw.

Lisburn’s 173 was hoisted to 200 under Duckworth Lewis. When Mark Berry (who otherwise had an afternoon in the field he will not want to be reminded of) had Smith lbw in his first over Instonians were immediately under pressure.

Shannon and Andrew White set about the repair job; at the same time ensuring they remained ahead of the required rate. The pair added 107 for the second wicket, before White was well taken by Waller in the gully off Richard McConkey and two balls later the same combination accounted for Jordan McClurkin.

Shannon’s innings was far from flawless but his 80 was a mixture of defence and powerful aggression until he was lbw to Waller. McConkey impressed with his 3-31, but despite going to the last over Rusty Theron saw the visitors home with an unbeaten 39.

Carrick added the name of Waringstown to the list of teams who have failed to win at Middle Road this season.

Waringstown’s 258-8 was built around a partnership of 110 between Cobus Pienaar (58) and Lee Nelson (77) and there were another four4 wickets for Ryan Eagleson.

At 10-2 most probably reckoned Waringstown were on their way, but rain reduced the target to 215 off 35 and Pat Botha played another classy innings hitting 90 from 49 balls with 10 fours and 3 sixes, when he was seventh out with 35 required, Waringstown sensed another chance.